Justin's POV

I have spent the morning just lounging in a pair of cotton pajama pants, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt, just enjoying the lazy start to my day.  Without any demands or constant pull in one direction, I haven't had a reason to do anything for anyone else but myself...and I've never felt better. 

The sun's rays have peaked up over the horizon, basking the valley in its glow and setting off an array of colors as it reflects off the snow.  Amazingly enough, another couple of inches fell throughout the night, blanketing the already snow covered ground in a fresh layer of powder.  Exactly the kind of snow that makes for great snowboarding.  After putting my coffee cup in the sink, I wash my hands before taking off into the bedroom, grabbing my bag from the other night and changing into another layer of warm clothes.

It's nearly noon, which gives me almost the entire day to spend on the slopes.  I plan to enjoy the quiet, comfortable ease of the mountain, taking in the view and just getting lost in the easy back-and-forth of the hill.  I have never been a real nature-guy, sure I can camp with the best of them, but holing myself up in the mountains for months at a time, just to spend out on the slopes, it hasn't ever crossed my mind before.

That was all up until her...

Up until the backlash of another failed relationship on my part...another cheating scandal...another public outcry into my personal life.

Shaking the thoughts that are bound to give me a headache and another painful rip through my gut of being worked over by another female, I zip up my bag and hoist it over my shoulder.

Just me, the mountain and the snow...that's all I need...

Nothing and no one else...

The quiet purr to my engine is the only sound the infiltrates my brain as I back out of the house and drive to the mountain.  Letting go of the poisonous thoughts that threatened to overtake me, I take a deep breathe, the soothing, crisp air filling my senses and cleansing my mind.  As I pull the car into a parking spot, I unload all of my bags and board, glancing up at the mountain and a small smile plays at the corner of my lips.  Although it is considerably busier than last night, it's not enough to make me turn around or rid myself from this sanctuary.  Besides, no one will possibly believe that I am amongst everyone without an ounce of security or entourage. 

It's exactly what I need.

After getting everything settled, I clip the new pass onto my jacket, next to the dangling one from the night before.  Zipping up my coat, I slide the face mask up my neck and over my mouth, if I'm going to spend the entire day out here, I'm going to be warm doing it.  I throw on my goggles and my gloves as I reach for my board, strapping one of my feet into the binding and pushing off with the other.  Sliding into the line, amongst the people, completely undetected, just another boarder out enjoying the fresh powder, is liberating. 

Another final push forward and I grab a seat on one of the lifts to the top of the hill.  As the chairlift begins its slow and measured ascent to the top, I take in the vast beauty of the sprawling hills before me.  There are hundreds of open runs to chose from, everything to my right, my left, and even in the back of the mountain.  I could spend an entire day out here and possibly still have more hills to hit the next day.

The ride to the top passes quickly and I prepare to deboard.  Gliding down the ramp, I give a couple of more pushes against the ground before stopping at the top.  Sitting down on the snow, I bend my knees and secure my other foot into the binding before standing back up again and taking off down the mountain.  The cold wind, the constant sound of my board gliding across the snow...left-to-right...back-and-forth...it all becomes one solid loop on repeat in my head.  I pass a few skiers on the way down and I can't help the smile that so easily takes over my face.

Skidding to a stop at the bottom, I take another deep breath, the feeling of freedom dancing across my face.  Unclasping one of my boots, I push of towards another chair lift, taking me further up the mountain this time.  Thankfully, I packed my iPod before I took off this morning; it'll come in handy later when I've had my fair share of the constant chatter of other skiers and boarders around me.  As I wait in line for the chair lift, I notice the line of people stacking up behind me.  Apparently this is a popular lift.

As I push off from the wooden post towards the loading area, another lone skier slides in next to me, not saying a word as we sit down on the awaiting chair.  The up and down bounce to the lift shakes me in my seat and I wiggle to get comfortable next to this virtual stranger.

"Sorry about just sneaking on this chair with you... I figured with the line, we should probably double up to keep it moving before the staff gets irritated," the smooth, femine voice says beside me.

I glance over at her, catching the red Rossignol skis, white racing shells, and red and white, checkered jacket.  Her blonde curls are peaking out through her hat and jacket, and her goggles are blocking her stunning blue eyes. 

Clearing my mind and throat, I turn my face towards her.  "It's not a problem at all.  I understand."

"Good," she says before facing forward again.  Gently, she swings her left ski, letting a rhythm that's playing in her head guide her movements.  "So, what brings you out here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I ask, feeling a smile tug at my lips.

"I suppose.  But not many boarders come out by themselves.  You enjoying the slopes?" she asks, turning her head back towards me.

Just as I begin to answer, she lifts her goggles away from her face, securing them on her forehead over her hat.  As I take in her face, it suddenly hits me who this person is sitting next to me.  "You're Taylor Jordan..." I blurt out and mentally chastise myself for sounding like such an idiot.  I hate it when that's the first thing out of people's mouths when they meet me...  "I'm sorry, that's so rude of me," I begin but she's quick to cut me off.

"Not many people recognize me out here..." she answers, turning her face back towards the mountain.  Her eyes are watching the skiers below, and suddenly a grinding halt to the chair lift stops us about halfway up the mountain.

"I'm sorry to just throw that out there...really, that was incredibly rude."

She laughs, her eyes meeting me head on as she looks at me.  "You know, I could say the same thing back to you."

"I'm not Taylor Jordan..." I answer jokingly, knowing where she's going with it.

"No, but you're Justin Timberlake."

I nod my head in acknowledgement, not really caring that I have been spotted after the idiotic impression I just gave her.  "That obvious?"

"Not really.  I suppose if you got on the chairlift with someone and you're forced to be in a confined space of about five feet, they're going to catch on sooner or later.  But with the goggles, neck-gator, and hat...it's kind of difficult actually."

I nod my head at her response.  "Well then, unless I'm riding with you, I'll remember to go solo up the lifts."  Am I flirting with her?  Please, someone stop me.

"You'll have to do just that," she answers just as the chairlift begins to move again.  "So, what brings you out here, Justin?"

"I just needed a break, wanted to get some boarding in.  I haven't been out on the hills for longer than a couple days in years.  So, I thought I would come, stay for a while, and get my fix in."

She laughs lightly.  "It can be addicting."

"What about you?" I ask, needing to change the subject of the reason behind my visit.

"Actually, today, I am just out here for my own enjoyment.  I don't get to do that very often."

"I figured if you got some time off, the last place you'd want to be is out here."

"That's a huge misconception.  If I didn't love skiing, and racing for that matter, I wouldn't be doing it."

As soon as the words leave her mouth, it makes me wonder about myself...my own career choice.  Do I not love what I do, if I'm out here running around, avoiding my actual life back in LA?

"Doesn't mean I don't need a break now and then...but if I can get out here without my coaches, gates, and time clocks, it helps me remember why I got into racing to begin with," she clarifies.

Suddenly, the top of the mountain comes into view and part of me is a little sad to see this ride come to an end.  As much as I just want to be out here on my own, I've enjoyed having someone around just to talk to.

"When's your next race?" I ask.

"In three days, it's the pre-lims," she answers automatically.

"You don't sound excited..."

"It's not that, it's just I'm expected to win, and that pressure can sometimes be a little daunting."

As our chair is the next to deboard, I pop my board up under my heels as she lifts the tips of her skis.  "Surprisingly, Taylor, I know exactly what you mean."

Quickly, she flashes me a dazzling smile before we stand and slide down the small incline.  Smoothly, she grinds to a halt at the top and I stop, reaching down to fasten my foot into the board, balancing precariously so that I don't fall flat on my ass too.  I've embarrassed myself enough around her for one day.

"Justin, it was a pleasure talking to you.  Have fun on the slopes today, maybe I will catch you around again," she offers, tilting her head towards me.

"That sounds good, thanks for the company.  Oh, and if I don't see you before your race...good luck."

"Thanks," she says before smiling and taking off down the hill.  Hopping forward, I watch as she easily coasts along the powder, turning and cutting easily into the hill.  It's clear that she's a damn professional just in the way she turns, not to mention the speed at which she goes down. 

Sighing, I hop and flip my board so that it's facing down hill before leaning forward and letting it take me the rest of the way down.  I don't regret being spotted in the least, despite it was the one thing I was hoping to avoid while being out here.  I know Taylor's not the type to blast my business around; she knows what it's like to be in the public eye anyways.  No, the smile currently plastered on my face is for just being able to interact with another person without the pretenses or awkwardness of my status in an all consuming, entertainment industry.  To her, I was just another boarder and she another skier.  It's the first interaction in years that I've had at face value...and I needed it.

The rest of my day seems to fly by in a mix of snow and ice, and the occasional blast of wind that whips through the trees.  Despite my best efforts to spot the red and white, checker printed jacket, I never did cross paths with Taylor again.  I realize that it's kind of crazy to be seeking out someone that I shared a chairlift ride with, but I just really enjoyed her company...I never really thought about the fact that the next couple of months could get a little lonely. 

As the sun descends into the horizon and the lights on the hill flicker to life, I realize that I have spent almost seven hours on the slopes, just going about my business without any interruption from the outside world.   

Debating whether or not to continue boarding until the hill closes, I stop at one of the chalets, hooking my board into one of the racks and heading inside to warm up.  Grabbing a table in the corner, I remove my goggles and mittens but leave my hat secured to my head, covering my curls.  Sitting down, I reach into my pocket, turning my phone on, I check my messages.  A few from my mom and a couple of text messages from Trace, letting me know that all is still clear on the home front. 

"I didn't think you'd still be out," the familiar voice breaks through my perusal of my phone and my head snaps up to see Taylor standing a few feet away from me.  Her US ski team bag is secured over her shoulder, the normally bulky attire of the slopes removed as she stands in just her shells and jacket.

"Yeah, well, I don't have anything better to do," I mock, a smile on my lips.  "What about you?  Taking off for the night?"

"Yeah, I have training tomorrow morning.  So, I think I've had enough for the day."

I nod my head in understanding.  "I'm debating whether or not to stay out.  I'm thinking I should probably call it a night, after all, I'll probably be back tomorrow anyways."

She laughs, readjusting the strap of her bag.  "So, you're really out here by yourself?"

"All by my lonesome," I answer, standing to collect my things and bag from the racks next to the tables.

"Hmm..." she says, a slight forlorn look marring her features.  "Well, maybe we can hit the slopes together one day...after the pre-lims or something.  If you want to?"

I smile wildly at her suggestion.  "Yeah, definitely, sounds like fun."

As I begin to follow her outside of the chalet, we stop to pick up my board and head towards the parking lot.  "Maybe I will catch you tomorrow?" I ask, throwing the question out there.

She quirks a smile in my direction.  "Possibly.  You'll catch me on the racing course at least.  It's not going to be all fun tomorrow, that's for sure."

"I'm sorry..." I amend, not really sure how to address the topic of training for the World Cup.

She waves off my apology quickly.  "It'll be good for me.  I need a little kick in the right direction; it helps me focus before the race." 

Stopping at my car, I re-arrange my bag and board before turning to face her.  Extending my hand to her, I say, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Taylor."

Gently, she slides her much smaller hand into my own, giving it a shake.  "You too, Justin.  I'll see you around and we'll figure out a time to meet up and hit the hills."

I nod my head and smile as she turns to walk further down the lot to her own car.  "Night, Taylor."

As she spins around, her long blonde curls bounce down her back in gentle waves.  "Night, Justin," she calls out before disappearing in a sea of cars.

Smiling to myself, I load the car up with my things and hop inside.  Letting the engine run and the interior heat up, I replay this turn of events.  I came out here with no intention of meeting anyone or befriending someone in the process, but there's something about Taylor that seems to draw me in.  Maybe it's the ease of her presence, her carefree aurora, or just the fact that I don't have to hide, I can be just a normal guy without the strings attached to my name.  I can just be Justin again and that's enough...